The Wedding Gift (Colorado Billionaires Book 7)

by Regina Duke

  After lunch, they went to the Gallery, and Clayton insisted she pick out another porcelain figurine to go with her cowgirl and her pony. She spotted one right away, a blond cowboy holding his black hat against one leg of his jeans while a black-and-white dog leaned against the other one, looking up at him adoringly.

  “This one is perfect,” she murmured. “He even has green eyes.”

  At three-thirty, she reminded him reluctantly, “I have to go home and do the chores.”

  Clayton pulled her into another warm kiss. When they ran out of air and had to part, he sighed, “Okay. But don’t forget, I’m picking you up early in the morning. I want to show you off to my brother and my cousins.”

  They spent another ten minutes in the Mercedes, parked in front of her house, practicing the perfect kiss. When the dogs started barking outside the car, she moaned, “Oh darn. I guess we’ll have to arrange another time for practice.”

  Clayton nuzzled her neck and said, “I’ll make sure we get more tomorrow.”

  Kenzie cradled her new figurine in one hand as she exited the car. She stood and watched him drive away until she lost sight of the black spot as it sped down the highway.

  She reached down and rubbed Cotton’s ears. “I’m definitely in love,” she said, looking the dog in the eye. “Can you stand to be around me?”

  He whined and licked her hand, then spun in circles. She laughed. “Okay, inside. I’ll feed you first.”

  Once in the living room, she again had a distinct feeling of impending doom. It was too quiet, and the drapes were closed again. Her mother’s voice startled her.

  “I’m here, Kenzie. Just resting in your dad’s old chair.”

  Kenzie tucked the figurine in her pocket and went to her mother’s side. “Are you all right? You look exhausted again.”

  “I’ll be fine.” Marigold smiled weakly. Her eyes sparkled when she announced, “Your dad is feeling much better. We already had a light dinner. Soup and crackers. You don’t mind fending for yourself after chores, do you?”

  “Of course not.” Kenzie squeezed her mother’s hand. “Would you like me to put the TV on?”

  “Sure. Find that old movie channel. I don’t want to listen to the news. It makes me crazy.”

  Kenzie took the remote and found her mother’s movie channel. “Here. You take it. You can change it if you want. I’ll go feed the animals.”

  “Did you have a good time?” Marigold’s voice seemed strangely soft, as if all the air had leaked out of the bellows.

  “It was wonderful,” said Kenzie. Then she cocked her head to one side. “Did you find your surprise in the fridge?”

  Marigold smiled so wide, her eyes squinted shut. “You’re such a wonderful child. I left it right where I found it. It’s safe there. Now we can replace the truck.”

  “I’ve already taken care of that,” said Kenzie. “I’ll be driving it home Monday after work.”

  Her mother’s eyes opened wide. “Oh, you darling girl.” She touched Kenzie’s arm lightly. Kenzie frowned at how cold her mother’s hand was.

  “I’m going to get you a blanket, Mom. You’re getting chilly down here. Let me know when you want to go to bed, and I’ll help you up the stairs.”

  Marigold brushed away her concern. “I’ll be fine. I’m just worn out from taking care of your father. Maybe the blue blanket you washed yesterday?”

  Kenzie smiled. “You got it.”

  After delivering the blanket, Kenzie went out to do the chores. After the animals were fed, she made herself a half-sandwich and marveled at how delicious tuna fish could be when a person was in love. She ended up splitting the last bite between the dogs. When she checked on her mother, Marigold was sound asleep. Kenzie decided not to wake her. Instead, she went upstairs, said good night to her father, and was pleasantly surprised when he asked about the animals.

  “I’ll be up and about tomorrow,” he said. “Your mother mentioned you’ll be going out with your gentleman friend again. I’ll get up and do the morning chores. You can just get yourself ready for Clayton. How’s that?”

  “Thanks, Dad.” She kissed him on the cheek and was relieved to find his skin warm and dry. “Mom fell asleep downstairs, so if you hear noises in the night, it’s probably her coming to bed.”

  She retired to her room and set the porcelain cowboy on the nightstand next to the cowgirl and her pony. She spent an hour letting them have a pretend conversation, something she hadn’t done since she was twelve. At last, she put on her pajamas and lay in bed, thinking about Clayton. She plugged her phone in to charge and turned it off before her mood could be ruined by any more messages from what’s-his-face. Then she laughed. She hadn’t thought about Todd or the rest of her troubles since lunch.

  She dreamed about buying a house with Clayton using the money from the slag heap. It had magically grown into a million dollars, and it all seemed perfectly reasonable. They were arranging their living room furniture when there was a thud at the door of her dream living room. She opened it, and Todd stood there, soaked in gasoline. When he lit the match, Kenzie woke up with a shout and bolted straight up in bed.

  It took an hour to calm down enough to erase that awful image. She could hear her mother’s voice in her head, warning her, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” No kidding.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Sunday morning, Kenzie was relieved to see that her father was feeling well enough to help with the chores. Even though he’d told her he would do them all, she couldn’t bear to let him, not on his first day out of bed. He was even in a good mood. He whistled a tune as he tossed flakes of hay to the cows. Kenzie insisted on doing the heavy lifting though. She had to move some bags of pig food and goat chow, and there was always manure to cleanup. Even so, it did her heart good to see the pink flush on her father's cheeks and have him actually smile at her as they worked. He never was much of a talker. But that was okay. She was just so happy that he was not lying in bed.

  Her mother looked happy, too. She had fixed a modest breakfast, most likely so John’s lagging appetite wasn’t as obvious. She’d prepared one egg apiece and toasted homemade bread and a few slices of bacon. By the time Kenzie checked her phone—it was way too early for Todd to be up and threatening her—her mom and dad were chatting like old times. It filled Kenzie’s heart with joy and hope. She had chosen to wear a full-length dark green velvet dress.

  “Dad, are you sure it’s okay if I go to the barbecue?” she asked. “If you need me, I can stay home.”

  “No, I won’t hear of it.” Her father’s voice was not quite as hale and hearty as he appeared, but it had more energy behind it then she had heard all week. “I don’t want you to hang around here when you’ve got a young man waiting to take you out. You’ve been working all week long, doing all the chores here and then going into town and working at the Feed and Grain. You deserve at least one day off. I'll be fine. Besides, your mother is here.”

  Marigold still looked tired, but she agreed. “Your father’s right.”

  “I didn’t hear you go upstairs last night, Mom.”

  Marigold grumbled, “That’s because I didn’t. Can you believe how lazy I’m getting in my old age? I slept the whole night right there in that chair.” She shook her head in disgust. Then she lightened her tone and said, “My, my, you look wonderful in that dress. I was afraid you didn’t like it.”

  “Maybe you got that impression because of the fit I threw before prom,” said Kenzie. “I don’t know if I ever told you, but I was the envy of every girl there that night. They were all shiny and spangly in their off-the-shoulder imitation bridal gowns, and there I was in this hand-sewn dark green velvet dress. I love the lace at the wrists and neckline. It makes me feel Victorian and more than a little haughty.” She tipped her nose in the air and did a slow turn.

  Marigold laughed silently. “And you found your lace-up boots. You are a vision, Kenzie.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  Marigold gave
her a secret smile. When John left the room to wash his hands, she whispered, “I’m not going to tell your father about the money yet. I want to think about how best to use it.”

  “That sounds fine to me,” said Kenzie softly. After all, if the money had been stolen, spending it might get her folks in trouble. She was even glad she wouldn’t bring the Ford F350 home until after work Monday. That gave Ryan Hutch and Thor until Tuesday to figure out whether she could keep it or not. If things went to hell in a hand basket, she couldn’t expect Clayton to fulfill his promise about the truck payment. What if the police traced her connection to Todd? Would whatever he had done to acquire the cash then be her crime by association. But for now, she shook off those worries as she watched her parents looking more normal than she’d seen them since her return.

  It didn’t take long before her father was looking peaked. Marigold put a brave face on it. “Well, John, you were sick in bed for a week. You can’t expect to jump right back into your usual routine. I think it would make a lot of sense for you to put your feet up in the easy chair and watch a football game. I warmed it up for you last night. If Kenzie isn’t back in time for chores, I’ll fill in for her.”

  “Thanks, Mom. I promise I won’t be out too late. But I don’t have any idea how long these family things last with the Garrisons.”

  John squinted at her. “Garrisons? I thought this fellow’s name was Masters.”

  “That’s right,” said Kenzie. “He’s related on Polly Garrison’s side. Her maiden name was Masters.”

  Marigold looked pleased.

  “I think he really likes me,” said Kenzie. Otherwise, why would he hang around after seeing what she’d done to Todd’s car? And how many guys would take it in stride if their new girl friend needed a lawyer? “I like him, too. A lot.”

  “Good,” said Marigold. “See? If you hadn’t come home, you never would have met him.”

  The dogs barked out front.

  “That must be him now,” said Kenzie.

  John had recovered some of his natural grumpiness. “Is he going to sit out there and honk for you?”

  No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the doorbell rang.

  Kenzie beamed. “Hardly, Dad.” She went to open the door.

  Clayton held a dozen pink roses. “I hope you like the color,” he said. “Someone told me every color of rose had a special meaning, but when I asked for an explanation, he admitted he didn’t really know.”

  “They’re lovely,” gushed Kenzie. “Come on in. We’ll let my folks enjoy them while we’re gone.” She led the way to the kitchen.

  Clayton went to shake John’s hand before the older man had time to struggle to his feet. “So nice to see you up and around, sir.”

  John grunted his approval.

  Kenzie kept touching Clayton’s arm, then pulling her hand back, wondering how much affection she should show in front of her parents. Clayton solved the problem for her by slipping his arm around her waist.

  “You look gorgeous in that dress,” he said. “Is that velvet?”

  “Yes,” said Kenzie. “I hope it’s not too formal for the barbecue.”

  Clayton beamed. “Are you kidding? My aunt Polly is going to be so impressed.”

  “My mother made it for me.”

  Marigold waved away the compliment. “I used to sew a lot when I was younger.”

  Clayton said tenderly, “It’s a work of art, fit for a princess.”

  John humphed, but his eyes twinkled. “You two go on and have a good time. We’ll hold down the fort here.”

  Kenzie leaned over to kiss his forehead. She frowned momentarily. His skin was clammy again. But then, he was still recovering from whatever that nasty bug was. She gave her mother a peck on the cheek. “I’ll see you both later.”

  * * *

  Clayton wished he could skip the family barbecue and whisk Kenzie off to some exotic location. But whisking on the first date might be misinterpreted as kidnapping. He suppressed a smile and wondered if this was technically a second date since they had spent all day Saturday together.

  “Before we get to my cousin’s place, I should tell you that Thor and Ryan were working on our problem all yesterday afternoon and evening.”

  “No movie?”

  “Nope.”

  “Poor Jasmine.”

  Clayton humphed.

  “What?” asked Kenzie.

  “You’re neck deep in problems and you’re feeling sorry for Jasmine missing a movie.” He shook his head and added softly, “You’re one in a million.”

  Kenzie smiled and turned away to look out the window. “Thanks.”

  “I’m glad your dad is feeling better.”

  “Me, too.” She cast a worried glance his way. “My mom sure is tired. It’s been a really long week for her.”

  “Is your phone on? In case they call?”

  Kenzie put her hand to her mouth. “Oh! I left it on the nightstand. I forgot all about it. I don’t even remember if I turned it on or not.”

  “Maybe that’s a good thing.” Clayton took her hand and pulled it to his lips for a kiss.

  Kenzie looked happy, and that pleased Clayton no end.

  “Don’t worry,” she said. “They have a land line, and a list of phone numbers for everyone in town.”

  “Okay,” he said as he pulled up in front of Thor and Ashley’s luxury cabin. “Here we are. There’s Austin’s car, so he and Erin are already here.”

  “Gosh, they start early.”

  Clayton laughed. “When we were kids, everyone would arrive the night before and sleep over. Now that we’re grown, we’ve given that up. But Thor is the only one with kids so far, so I suspect the old custom will return when we have a passel of little cousins running around.” He turned off the engine. “I hope you like kids. Thor has two little ones.”

  Rocky slammed his big paws against Kenzie’s window and barked loud and long.

  “Sorry about that,” said Clayton. “Don’t be afraid.”

  Kenzie laughed. “Are you kidding? I have goats bigger than him.” She started to open her car door.

  “Wait for Thor,” said Clayton. “I don’t want Rocky’s paws all over that beautiful dress.”

  Kenzie gave him a look that made him wish they didn’t have to spend the day with relatives. Two spots of color rose on her cheeks, and she said, “You are the most thoughtful man I’ve ever met.”

  Clayton stayed close to Kenzie as he introduced her to Thor, Ashley, and the babies. Austin and Erin were delighted to meet her as well. His heart warmed at the sight of her playing with little Odin, and he was surprised when she asked to hold Freya.

  “Oh, you like kids,” he said.

  “Sure,” said Kenzie. “They’re as cute as baby goats and cleaner than baby pigs. What’s not to love? With my siblings all in the service, and planning to make careers of it, I may be my parents’ only hope for grandchildren.” She laughed softly and wiped drool off Freya’s chin.

  Clayton looked around the kitchen and gazed across the great room. “Hey Thor, I don't see Axel and Taylor. Are they coming?”

  Thor paused before going out on the deck to the barbecue. “Axel said they’d be here. But you know how much he loves those reindeer. And Taylor hates the alpacas, so he probably has to tend to them by himself. It might take him a while to straighten all that out, feed the animals, and so on.”

  Kenzie rocked Freya gently in her arms and piped up, “Oh, Taylor doesn’t hate them all that much. She confessed at work that they’re starting to grow on her. But she adores the reindeer.”

  “Where’s Aunt Polly?” Clayton went to hold the door open for Thor.

  “She sleeps late. She’ll get here around noon.”

  “Can I give you a hand?”

  “Sure. I think Ashley and Erin wanted to take Kenzie upstairs and show her the nursery.”

  “You built on?”

  Thor gave a wry grin. “Ashley says I’m like Sarah Winchester. She just kept bui
lding and building until she died. Besides, Ash wanted a space upstairs near our bedroom for the babies. I thought we told you about that last year?”

  Clayton caught Kenzie’s eye. She looked completely at home, and Erin and Ashley were complimenting her on her dress. Ashley was insisting on putting a blanket between Freya and the velvet. Kenzie flashed Clayton a grin, and he relaxed and followed Thor out on the deck.

  * * *

  For Kenzie, the morning sped by. She adored the two little ones, and loved the nursery.

  “Wow,” she said, awestruck. “I would love to have a nursery like this— a play area, a sleeping alcove, and look at all those toys! I don’t suppose you’d consider adopting me?”

  Ashley grinned and lowered herself into a baby-blue rocker. “You would have to walk on your knees for a few years,” she teased.

  “Definitely worth it.” Kenzie deposited Freya gently in Ashley’s arms.

  Erin bounced as she talked, as if trying to make herself taller. “Austin says his brother is really in love with you.”

  Kenzie blushed. “I’m sort of enamored of him, too. He’s so handsome. That incredible mouth….”

  Erin giggled. “It runs in the family. Austin seems quiet and nerdy to other people, but once you get to know him, you realized that he’s very deep.”

  “And nerdy,” teased Ashley.

  Erin nodded. “Deep and nerdy. So true. And a great photographer.”

  Kenzie moved slowly about the room, running her fingers over cribs and baby swings and chests-of-drawers. “Are you planning a family, Erin?”

  “Someday. Maybe after I get tired of teaching. Austin wants me to be able to stay at home with the baby, when the time comes. Oh! You should see the nursery at Axel and Taylor’s house! Axel’s dad sent them an entire eighteen-wheeler packed with nursery stuff. But so far, no kids.”

  Kenzie murmured, “Wow. Nothing like being prepared, I guess.”

  “What about you?” asked Ashley. “Are you thinking long-term about Clayton? Are you two getting serious?”